Scribd
Upload
99 views7 pages

Ai and The Classroom

Machine learning has the potential to help address long-standing challenges in education by analyzing large amounts of student data. It can be used for prediction, such as identifying students at risk of dropping out, and for process efficiency like automated grading and optimized scheduling. Existing platforms are already using machine learning for content analytics, learning analytics, dynamic scheduling, and more. As digitization increases the data available, machine learning can help transform that data into structured knowledge to improve learning outcomes.

Uploaded by

Pondicherry University
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
99 views7 pages

Ai and The Classroom

Machine learning has the potential to help address long-standing challenges in education by analyzing large amounts of student data. It can be used for prediction, such as identifying students at risk of dropping out, and for process efficiency like automated grading and optimized scheduling. Existing platforms are already using machine learning for content analytics, learning analytics, dynamic scheduling, and more. As digitization increases the data available, machine learning can help transform that data into structured knowledge to improve learning outcomes.

Uploaded by

Pondicherry University
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 7

AI AND THE CLASSROOM: MACHINE

LEARNING IN EDUCATION
Situation

For years schooling has been typified by its aspect of the physical grind on the
part of both students and their teachers: teachers cull and prepare
educational materials, manually grade students’ homework, and provide
feedback to the students (and the students’ parents) on their learning
progress. They may be burdened with an unmanageable number of students,
or a wide gulf of varying student learning levels and capabilities in one
classroom. Students, on the other hand, have generally been pushed through a
“one-size-fits-all” gauntlet of learning, not personalized to their abilities, needs,
or learning context. I’m always reminded by this quote by world-renowned
education and creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson:

“Why is there this assumption that we should educate children simply


according to how old they are? It’s almost as if the most important thing that
children have in common is their date of manufacture.”

But as the contemporary classroom has become more and more digitized,
we’ve seen recent advances in AI and machine learning that are closing in on
being able to finally address historical “hand-wrought” challenges – by not
only collecting and analyzing data that students generate (such as e-learning
log files) when they interact with digital learning systems, but by pulling in
large swaths of data from other areas including demographic data of
students, educator demographic and performance data, admissions and
registration info, human resources information, and so forth.

Quick Review: What is Machine Learning?


Machine learning is a method of data analysis that automates analytical
model building. Using algorithms that iteratively learn from data, machine
learning allows computers to find hidden insights without being explicitly
programmed where to look Machine learning works especially well prediction
and estimation when the following are true:

-The inputs are well understood. (You have a pretty good idea of what is
important but not how to combine them.)
-The output is well understood. (You know what you are trying to model.)
-Experience is available. (You have plenty of examples to train the data.)

The crucible of machine learning consists of capturing and maintaining a rich


set of data, and bringing about the serendipitous state of knowledge
discovery: the process of parsing through the deluge of Big Data, identifying
meaningful patterns within it, and transforming it into a structured knowledge
base for future use. As long as the data flows, its application is endless, and
we already see it everywhere, from Facebook algorithms to self-driving cars.
Today, let’s examine machine learning and its implementation in the field of
Education.

Application of Machine Learning in Education

Prediction

A few years ago, Sotiris Kotsiantis, mathematics professor at the University of


Patras, Greece presented a novel case study describing the emerging field of
educational data mining, where he explored using students’ key demographic
characteristic data and grading data in a small number of written assignments
as the data set for a machine learning regression method that can be used to
predict a student’s future performance.

In a similar vein, GovHack, Australia’s largest open government and open data


hackathon included several projects in the education space, including a
project that aims to develop a prediction model that can be used by
educators, schools, and policy makers to predict the risk of a student to drop
out of school.

Springboarding from these two examples, IBM’s Chalapathy Neti recently


shared IBM’s vision of Smart Classrooms: cloud-based learning systems that
can help teachers identify students who are most at risk of dropping out, why
they are struggling, as well as provide insight into the interventions needed to
overcome their learning challenges:

The system could also couple a student’s goals and interests with data on their
learning styles so that teachers can determine what type of content to give the
student, and the best way to present it. Imagine an eighth grader who dreams
of working in finance but struggles with quadratic and linear equations. The
teacher would use this cognitive system to find out the students learning style
and develop a plan that addresses their knowledge gaps.

Process efficiency: Scheduling, grading, organization

Elsewhere, several Machine Learning for Education ICML (international


machine learning conference) workshops have explored novel machine
learning applications designed to benefit the education community, such as:

-Learning analytics that build statistical models of student knowledge to


provide computerized and personalized feedback on learning the students’
progress and their instructors
-Content analytics that organize and optimize content items like assessments,
textbook sections, lecture videos, etc.
-Scheduling algorithms that search for an optimal and adapted teaching policy
that helps students learn more efficiently
-Grading systems that assess and score student responses to assessments
and computer assignments at large scale, either automatically or via peer
grading
-Cognitive psychology, where data mining is becoming a powerful tool to
validate the theories developed in cognitive science and facilitate the
development of new theories to improve the learning process and knowledge
retention
-Active learning and experimental design, which adaptively select
assessments and other learning resources for each student individually to
enhance learning efficiency

Existing Platforms

Recently, digital education venture capitalist Tom Vander Ark shared 8


different areas where leading-edge platforms are already leveraging machine
learning in education:

1. Content analytics that organize and optimize content modules:


a. Gooru , IBM Watson Content Analytics

2. Learning analytics that track student knowledge and recommend next


steps:
a. Adaptive learning systems: DreamBox, ALEKS, Reasoning Mind, Knewton
b. Game-based learning: ST Math, Mangahigh

3. Dynamic scheduling matches students that need help with teachers that
have time:
a. NewClassrooms uses learning analytics to schedule personalized math
learning experiences.

Grading systems that assess and score student responses to assessments


and computer assignments at large scale, either automatically or via peer
grading:
a. Pearson’s WriteToLearn and Turnitin’s Lightside can score essays and
detect plagiarism.
5. Process intelligence tools analyze large amounts of structured and
unstructured data, visualize workflows and identifying new opportunities:
a. BrightBytes Clarity reviews research and best practices, creates evidence-
based frameworks, and provides a strength gap analysis.
b. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems like Jenzabar and IBM
SPSS helps HigherEd institutions predict enrollment, improve financial aid,
boost retention, and enhancing campus security.

6. Matching teachers and schools:


a. MyEdMatch and TeacherMatch are eHarmony for schools.

7. Predictive analytics and data mining to learn from expertise to:


a. Map patterns of expert teachers
b. Improve learning, retention, and application.

8. Lots of back office stuff:


a. EDULOG does school bus scheduling
b. Evolution , DietMaster.

Reflection

As the modern classroom becomes more and more digitized, we are able to
gather myriad sets of data. The trick is, of course, being able to purpose it.
The prize at heart of machine learning is knowledge discovery, the process of
parsing through the deluge of Big Data, identifying meaningful patterns within
it, and transforming it into a structured knowledge base for future use. In this
article, we’ve seen examples utilizing machine learning in the education sector
for prediction, scheduling, grading, and organization. We’ve also listed existing
education-related platforms that use a machine learning component.

What does it mean to me?

Big Data have swept into every industry and business function and are now an
important factor in production, alongside labor and capital. In a decision
making system, the bigger the data, the higher the likelihood is of making
good decisions. The time is now for organizations, in education or otherwise,
to research how a cost-efficient machine learning component can transform
your operational output. For more information, Check out this detailed
guide by Jesse Miller on the amazing benefits of technology in the classroom
and suggestions on ways to incorporate technology in the classroom.

“Parents are continually exposed to new technology via their children. Whether
it be iPad App usage tricks, to the advent of robotics competitions, and perhaps
now “new ways of thinking” as a result of interaction with Machine Learning
based educational environments. Siloed educational content may give way to a
topology of learning experinces.”  O. Liam Wright – CEO, True Interaction

True Interaction produces custom full-stack end-to-end technology solutions


across web, desktop and mobile, integrating multiple data sources to create a
customized data solution. True Interaction can determine the most optimal
means to achieve operational perfection, devising and implementing the right
tech stack to fit the specific school and or district need. True Interaction pulls
together disparate data sources, fuses together disconnected silos, and does
exactly what it takes for school data systems to operate with high levels of
efficiency and efficacy, ultimately leading to improved student achievement
outcomes.

Contact our team to learn more about how we can optimize your school or
district data system.

By Michael Davison

You might also like